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METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Rainwater Harvesting in Cincinnati: A Sewer District’s Perspective
Andrew Reynolds Environmental Planner
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati
April 24, 2013
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
MSD’s Sewer Network
• Publicly Owned & Operated Wastewater Utility Serving Southwest Ohio (Hamilton County)
• Serves a Population of about 855,000 – 230,000 Residential
and 250 Industrial Users
– Operates 7 Wastewater Treatment Plants; treating 70 Billion Gallons/yr
212 Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Locations 78 Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) Locations
11.5 billion gallons
MSD’s Environmental Challenge
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
History of Consent Decree
o Capturing some or all of the rainwater that hits a building’s roof or other on-site impervious surfaces reduces peak stormwater flows in the combined sewer system
o Reduced peak flows lessen the strain on MSD’s collection
system during rain events, which can reduce the likelihood of CSOs and thereby reduce total overflow volume
o MSD is under a federal consent decree to reduce CSOs o Potential for public-private partnerships and raising
community awareness about stormwater
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Why is Rainwater Harvesting Important to MSD?
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Concerns & Future Challenges
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
260
o Trends of declining number of accounts and declining usage per account (revenue stability)
o When rainwater harvesting is implemented, need to ensure
accurate billing for sewer treatment services provided (revenue stability and treatment capacity)
Volume in CCF per Account
Simplified Rainwater Harvesting Diagram
Total Rainfall Captured
- Building Usage
= Net Capture
To se
wer
syst
em
*Not drawn to scale
Direct Impact
Projects
• Large & Regional Scale – business case evaluations
• MSD as the implementer • 100% ratepayer funded • Owned and operated by MSD to
support its core mission • Remove liability of stormwater
Enabled Impact
Projects
• Anticipated annual stormwater runoff capture volume of 40 MG
• MSD partners with property owners to offset the cost of installation
• Integrated Bioinfiltration practices, green roofs, pervious/porous paving as part of watershed solutions
Inform & Influence
• Programmatic Elements to support sustainable infrastructure solutions
• Advisory Committee • Comprehensive Plan • Land Development Code Updates
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Enabled Impact Projects
o Over 30 public/private green infrastructure projects throughout the Lower Mill Creek watershed
o Over 40 MG stormwater captured per year (already installed) o Example of how public
and private benefits can be realized by sustainable projects
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Rainwater Harvesting- Complementary Programs
o Green Roof Loan Program Partnership with Cincinnati Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ)
and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Low-interest loans for green roof construction
o Rain Barrels
o 55-gallon barrels available for purchase through MSD
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Sustainability LENS
o Screening and benchmarking tool o Promotes integrated planning solutions within a watershed
context in support of sustainable separation o Evaluation of green and gray infrastructure for wet
weather improvement program using principles of sustainability o Economic viability o Environmental stewardship o Social values
o Sustainable LENS will include: o Integration of water quality & quantity goals & needs o Maintain or enhance environment through a technology-based solutions o Promotes environment protection, economic growth, and enhance quality of life
Currently developing planning tools to help facilitate private investments
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Modeling Effectiveness & Maximizing Benefits
12.5100
5003,338
0.0%20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
250
1,500
6,000
24,000
Non-potable Water Usage (gal)
Net Capture
Cistern Volume
(gal)
Net Capture for Roof Area of 5,000 ft2
80.0%-100.0%
60.0%-80.0%
40.0%-60.0%
20.0%-40.0%
0.0%-20.0%
o Currently developing planning tool/model to simulate peak flow reduction benefits paired with private benefits of rainwater harvesting systems
o Sample (Excel) model output based on user inputs of roof size, daily non-potable water use, and proposed cistern size
o Can help minimize
$/gallon invested by building owners
Axes not to scale
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Rainwater Harvesting Legislation Process o GCWW, the City Planning and Buildings and City
Health Departments, and other stakeholders w/ MSD o Task force led to the adoption of the new
rainwater harvesting legislation Considerations for broader use o Rainwater harvesting systems
o Potentially removing metering requirements and establishing a flat billing structure for single-family homes
o Commercial users o Specifications for ensuring adequate billing of
use – i.e. require user to install and maintain calibrated metering system
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Moving Forward
o MSD along with other stakeholders will continue to educate residents and business owners about the joint benefits to them and to MSD that can be realized through rainwater harvesting
o Assistance is available to anyone who has questions about
the new legislation and what opportunities are available for their home or business
METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT OF GREATER CINCINNATI
THANK YOU
www.projectgroundwork.org Contact Information: [email protected] 513-244-5572